Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 62

"Oh how nice," Lady Cutting crooned, "she eats!"

Again, the supermodel didn't look offended. "Of course I do," she said with a nod and a serene smile. Then her eyes suddenly widened as she brought her hand to her bee stung lips. "Who made the scones? I must ask the chef about the ingredients!"

The dowager raised an eyebrow, as did Emerson and I. "You bake?"

"Well...I'm trying." Natalie blushed prettily.

Ha! She's good.

"So!" Michael clapped his hands once, making the women look at him. "It's wonderful seeing you and Anthony again, Natty," he pontificated with a smile. "How's modeling going? I heard that you had a photo shoot with Kate Moss for Versace?"

"Yes!" She laughed, which made her face even more beautiful, if that were even possible. "Kate's such a cool girl. She's very much out there, you know? She's great."

"Got booked anywhere?"

She nodded. "Nicole Miller booked me for her eyewear line and I've shot ads for Orla Kiely. Oh! And this is great because Valentino booked me for his spring collection in a month. It's going to be massive."

Show off.

"That traitorous Italian coot!" I heard the dowager hiss, glaring evilly at Natalie. She, on the other hand, looked perfectly confused, shrugging when she didn't get whatever it was the dowager was flipping out about. "Why, I --"

"Okay!" Michael exclaimed, his voice rising a little bit. Only the ones near him could see the warning look he gave his grandmother. Lady Cutting surprisingly held her tongue, with her lips pursed.

"You said you got a surprise, Natty? An early wedding gift?" he asked his ex politely, raising his eyebrows. "What is it?"

Natalie actually glowed, leaning forward in her seat to grin at all of us sitting in the main area. "I got a shot for my friend, Marc Tuisson, an all-the-rage upcoming designer! Emerson, Keller, myself, and Frederick's fiancé...I haven't met her yet so I don't know her name --"

"Vivian," I interjected helpfully, giving her a wobbly smile.

"Right! Vivian. The four of us will have a photo shoot tomorrow here at the estate. It will be a five-page spread! We'll all be dressed elegantly and gorgeously, and also, darling Anna Wintour liked my idea about having the three brides with their grooms doing a shoot together for their exclusive wedding edition. That'll be next month. An interview is part of the deal, but I didn't want to add that because I know some of you don't want to be interviewed, though they want that to happen so I had no choice."

I buckled in my seat, my mind alert now. "Why do we have to do all that shooting and stuff?"

"You see," Natalie started, looking innocent, "it would really let people get to know the new It couples! It's going to be lovely, you'll see."

I tensed and Michael seemed to sense that, too, so he took a step closer beside me and held my hand.

"Wow," Emerson piped in, standing up from the velvet settee. "I'm so excited about the photo shoots coming! I'm sure we're all going to be so glam!"

"No doubt about that, Em." Natalie winked; then she turned to me. "What do you reckon?"

"I don't know...this is all so shocking," I said, feeling numb. I mean, yeah, it was pretty exciting that Natalie got us booked for magazine shoots and all, but still. I had a feeling this was not going to go down well. "But...er..." -- I shrugged -- "let's just go and have fun, right?"

The duke stood up, looking at all of us. "If you will excuse me, everyone, I will be in my room to rest. Many things to do tomorrow. Business, preparations for the ball on Saturday --"

"Oh!" Natalie said, making everyone stare at her. "It's no problem, your grace. I can help with the preparations. I'd love to help Lady Cutting."

The lady mentioned merely grumbled in response.

Maxwell smiled, but it was a little odd for him because he seemed like the type of man that didn't smile quite often. "That's what I like about you, my dear," he complimented. "You always know what to say." Natalie thanked him with a blush. "And you," he smacked Anthony's back heartily, "be prepared for our next chess game, lad. I'm going to beat you next time."

"We'll see, sir," Anthony said with a challenge in his blue eyes, smirking.

The duke left with a booming laugh that echoed through the entire room.

I looked at Michael -- he looked...well...royally pissed, to say the least. For some reason, I thought he was jealous of Anthony Wattson and the bond the young man had with his father.

But I said nothing.

^^^^^

"She said that?" Vivian exclaimed, looking aghast.

She long finished Spy with Frederick and now they were in the room my best friend and I were staying in, along with Emerson and the dowager, who was visiting. Maxwell was said to be asleep again, after having dinner with the family, in the master bedroom, while Michael was in his room, glaring at the fireplace, nursing a glass of whiskey in hand.